Militants who tried to storm Pakistan airport killed in gun battle

ISLAMABAD: In a fierce gun battle, Pakistani security forces killed 10 Taliban fighters responsible for an abortive attempt to storm an air force base in the northwestern city of Peshawar, the latest in a string of audacious attacks by the militants.

A policeman and four civilians were also killed in the attack on the airport last night and a subsequent gun battle this morning. Over 40 civilians were injured, officials said.

Five suicide attackers who were part of the group that tried to enter the Bacha Khan International Airport, which also houses the Pakistan Air Force base, were killed during the gun battle on the outskirts of Peshawar this morning.

The terrorists were hiding in a compound in the suburb of Pawaka that was surrounded by troops, chief military spokesman Maj Gen Asim Bajwa told the media.

Three of them were gunned down while others blew themselves up. All five men appeared to be Uzbeks, he said.

Other officials said a policeman was killed and two more were injured in the clash.

Residents of Pawaka, located a short distance from the airport, said five militants took shelter in a house being built in the area at about 7.30 am. The armed men demanded that they should be given a car. They warned people not to alert the police, local residents said.

Police and army troops reached the spot a few hours later after they were alerted by local residents. Security forces sealed off the area and conducted a search and clearance operation to flush out the militants.

Footage on television showed armed policemen and soldiers and armoured vehicles advancing through the alleys of Pawaka towards the house where the militants were hiding. The sound of heavy gunfire could be heard in the footage.